SAN ANTONIO – The No. 9 Iowa State men’s basketball team torched the nets Friday night to defeat North Carolina Central by a final score of 93-75. The Cyclones shot a season-high 63.6 percent from the field on 35-55 shooting (9-17 3FG), as five players scored in double figures.

The Cyclones brought the fans to their feet right right out of the gate with a reverse alley-oop from DeAndre Kane to Melvin Ejim. The Cyclones and Eagles traded leads eight times in the opening 8 minutes of a hard fought first half. Kane and Dustin Hogue led the offensive attack early, each scoring in double figures in the first half. Kane also tacked on four assists and four rebounds in the stanza, driving the Cyclones to a 45-39 lead heading into halftime

In the second half, it was all Cyclones. After shooting over 60 percent from the field in the first half (18-29, 2-5 3FG), Iowa State kept its foot on the pedal, shooting 65% over the final 20 minutes. Five Cyclones ended the night in double figures, as Georges Niang (24), Hogue (15), Kane (14), Monté Morris (15) and Ejim (17) each notched double-digit efforts.

Keys to the gameAn efficient offense. The Cyclones shot a season-high 63.6 percent from the field on 35-55 shooting (9-17 3FG). Iowa State saw five student-athletes score in double figures for the 12th time this season. The team shot over 50% from the field for the 14th time in its 2013-14 campaign.

Sharing the rock. Iowa State dished 21 assists on 35 field goals. Kane led the way, dropping five dimes, while Morris and Niang each chipped in four. Tonight marked the 14th time this year that the Cyclones dished 20 or more assits.

Being aggressive on the glass. The Cyclones out-rebounded the Eagles by 10, grabbing 34 boards in the contest. Ejim, Kane, Niang and Hogue each grabbed five or more rebounds on the night.

The Cyclone Gameball goes to…Georges Niang. The Cyclone sophomore scored at least 20 points for the 11th time this season while also notching six rebounds and four assists. Niang shot 9-14 from the field and 4-5 from beyond the arc before leaving game due to injury. The Methuen, Mass., native has scored in double figures 29 times this year. Niang will miss the remainder of the season with a fracture in the fifth metatarsal of his right foot.

Next UpWith the win, Iowa State advances to the Round of 32 for the third consecutive season. The Cyclones will take on the 6th-seeded North Carolina Tarheels for a trip to the Sweet 16. The game will tip off on Sunday 4:15 p.m. CT.

Cyclone Notes*Iowa State is now 19-0 this season when leading at halftime.*The Cyclones are 11-1 when 5+ players score in double figures.*88% is the highest free-throw percentage of the year for the Cyclones as the team knocked down 14 of 16 from the charity stripe.*Melvin Ejim tied Jeff Grayer for the most games started in program history at 124. Ejim owns the record for games played at 133.*Ejim scored 17 points on the evening, scoring in double figures for the 29th time this season.*DeAndre Kane scored in double figures for the 30th this season, picking up 14 on the evening.*Kane dished more than five assists for the 22nd time this season.*Kane now ranks fourth in Iowa State history with 199 assists this season.*Georges Niang has scored in double figures 29 times this season.*Dustin Hogue added 15 points this evening, marking the 20th time this season the Yonkers, N.Y., native has notched double-digit points.*Tonight marked the 11th time this season Monté Morris has scored in double figures.